Strictly Come Dancing 2019 has started announcing its 2019 line-up, with ex-England goalkeeper David James the first official name announced. David James first played football for England at the age of 27 and was part of the team until 2010. The Strictly cast member is the oldest of the Strictly contestants who have been announced so far.
How old is David James?
David James was born on August 1, 1970, meaning that today (Thursday, August 1) is his 49th birthday.
The new Strictly contestant began his football team at the age of 16, when he played for the youth team of Watford.
He played football as a goalkeeper until 2014, when he retired from the game at the age of 44.
At 49, he is the oldest of the Strictly Come Dancing contestants announced so far.
WHO WILL BE ON STRICTLY THIS YEAR?
He was announced alongside EastEnders star Emma Barton, 42, and the comedian Chris Ramsey, 32, on the July 31 edition of The One Show.
The following day, social media star Saffron Barker, 19, was announced as the fourth Strictly contestant.
Speaking on The One Show, James revealed that he had been offered Strictly in the past when he was younger but had turned it down.
He also said: “I’m really excited to be on Strictly this year.
WHO IS STRICTLY COME DANCING STAR DAVID JAMES?
“Not just competing against this year’s stars, but being compared to previous sport stars from previous Strictly seasons. I have some big shoes to fill.”
So far on Strictly, three professional sportsmen have won the series: Cricketers Darren Gough and Mark Ramprakash in 2005 and 2006 and gymnast Louis Smith in 2012.
David James is the fifth footballer to appear on Strictly Come Dancing, following Peter Schmeichel (2006), John Barnes (2007), Peter Shilton (2010) and Robbie Savage (2011).
The majority of footballers who have appeared on Strictly have, like James, been goalkeepers, with Schmeichel and Shilton also playing in goal.
WHO WON STRICTLY COME DANCING LAST YEAR?
James is the second-oldest footballer to take part in Strictly behind Shilton, who was 61 when he took to the dancefloor.
The goalkeeper may have his work cut out for him, as no footballer has ever placed higher than 6th in the competition.
This was the place reached by Savage at the age of 37 with his partner Ola Jordan.
If David James manages to win Strictly Come Dancing 2019, he will be the oldest ever winner, beating actor Joe McFadden, who was 42 when he won the BBC show in 2017.
Strictly Come Dancing 2019 is coming soon to BBC One
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